news release
    6th May 2004

ENCOURAGING KIDS TO BECOME ENVIRONMENTAL GUARDIANS AT THEIR LOCAL BEACH!

Surf grommets' will soon get the chance to learn how to protect their local beaches from pollution through an educational 'on the beach' tour by leading environmental campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). Alongside the environmental education, the tour will also give groms the chance to surf with and against current and former World Champs, European, British and English Champs in a fun tag team surf event.

Quiksilver pros Gary Elkerton, Gabe Davies, Spencer Hargraves and Sarah Bentley will join SAS on the nationwide tour coming soon to a beach near you. The tour is designed to teach groms (aged 9-14) why their local beaches are so important and how best to protect them. This will be done on the beaches with a beach clean, analysis of the marine litter found and its impacts and what to do when a pollution incident occurs. As with previous SAS tours, it is designed to be as fun as possible and this year is no different other than the fact we'll be bringing the classroom to the beach!

As well as receiving an Eco Grom Certificate, they will be split into teams captained by the Quiksilver pros and take part in the fun tag team event. Prizes will be awarded before the team speeds off to the next beach. The day will start at 8.30am and will be finishing at around 4ish depending on the surf!! If it goes flat then the Quiksilver team will be treating the groms to an insight into their training regime, so fun and educational whatever the waves are like. Groms wanting to attend need to enroll. Below is a list of beaches the tour will visit and where to pick up an enrollment form:

Beach Date Enrollment Forms from

St Agnes 30 th May St Agnes Surf Club

Bournemouth 31 st May Just Add Water Surf Shops

Llantwit Major 1 st June Point Break Surf + Skate

Welsh Venue Changed

Due to the tragic end to a surfers life in Llantwit Major SAS have moved their SAS/Quiksilver Eco Groms Tour to Porthcawl. Simon Tucker from the Simon Tucker Surf Academy is now helping organise the day. For enrolment please contact Simon on 07815289761

Due to unforeseen events SAS have changed the SAS/Quiksilver Eco Grom Tour venue from Llantwit Major to Porthcawl. Simon Tucker from the Simon Tucker Surf Academy is now helping organise the day. For enrolment please contact Simon on 07815289761

Scarborough 2 nd June Secret Spot Surf Shop

Fraserburgh 3 rd June Point North East Surf Shop

Portrush 5 th June Irish Surfing Federation

6 th June Official Quiksilver Grommets Series Contest

Andy Cummins, SAS Campaigns Assistant says : "This will be a unique educational experience that is super fun for the groms and a chance for them to learn how to protect what is most important to them -their beaches and waves. SAS are stoked that our long-standing relationship with Quiksilver and education continues to deliver vital environmental education in order to protect our oceans. Without doubt it will be a fantastic experience for all groms - I wish I'd had that opportunity when I was a grom!!!"

Guillaume Colas Quiksilver Environment Manager says: "It's the 5th year we are running this tour to bring the message through the UK... we need a clean ocean to practice our favorite sport! I am glad to see more and more grommets are getting involved in the tour, they will be the actors of tomorrow to keep the environment clean."

Make sure you enroll early to avoid disappointment as places are limited!

For further information please contact Andy Cummins 01872 553001 / 07711 767548 or andy@sas.org.uk

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